How to work through nighttime wakeups

How to As a parent, nighttime wake-ups with your baby can be exhausting and frustrating. But there are ways to help your baby sleep through the night and minimize the number of wake-ups. Here are some useful tips to help you work through nighttime wake-ups with your baby.

1- Establish a bedtime routine

Establishing a bedtime routine is key to helping your baby sleep better at night. This routine provides cues to your baby that it’s time to sleep. Make sure this routine is consistent and takes place at the same time every night when you are home and able.

2- Limit daytime naps

Daytime naps can help your baby stay alert and happy during the day, but they can also disrupt their sleep schedule at night if they are sleeping too much. Try to limit daytime naps to 2 hours max per nap, and that their last nap ending and bedtime timing make sense.

3- Gradually reduce night feedings, limiting the amount of time in-between each feed.

Most babies will wake up at night for feeding, especially in the first few months of life. However, if your baby is older than six months and still wakes up frequently at night, you can gradually reduce the number of feedings. Start by stretching the time between feedings. Start with 4 hours. Which means if your baby eats at 7:30PM and wakes at 10:30pm, you are working through that wakeup WITHOUT feedings. But if your baby wakes up at 1:30AM then offer a full feed.

4- Use comfort techniques

If your baby wakes up at night and its not time for a feed try comforting them with gentle techniques such as shushing, rubbing, or patting. You can most definitely pick your baby up, but if that stimulates your baby too much then avoid picking up.

5 - Limit talking and lights

Talking and bright lights are stimulating. Remember it is night time still.

Remember that every baby is different, and it may take some time to establish a sleep routine that works for your little one. Here is your sleep guide to help.